Nicomachean Ethics. Rational nature rests on principles that have been defined by philosophers such as Aristotle for many centuries. As Donald Regan notes, “self-subsistent principles about what are good states of affairs, or activities” must serve as the basis of rational nature. Rational nature has no meaning or value if it does not rest upon an objective good that is discernible by way of the human senses. A thing is determined to be good if it acts in accordance with its nature. For example, an apple tree is supposed to… Continue Reading...
Peer Response 1:
Aristotle does discuss both practical wisdom and respect in the Nicomachean Ethics (Hursthouse, 2016). Practical wisdom needs to be cultivated over time, although it does seem that some people are more prone to being practical, reasonable, and even-tempered than others. Those who lack innate practical wisdom can cultivate it, and in fact, have an ethical obligation to cultivate this virtue. Aristotle believed that there are two types of virtuous people: those who have “full or perfect virtue,” and those who have to exert effort or “strength of will” to be virtuous (Hursthouse, 2016, p. 1). Sometimes to be a virtuous… Continue Reading...
